Florals 1 ON LINE
Love flowers- and always wanted to give yourself space to develop your floral creativity?
Have a dream to change your current career- and follow a floral path instead?
Been working in the floral industry- and want to up-skill, be inspired and supported to create your own floral aesthetic?
Have considered attending our Florals 1 IN PERSON Course but would prefer an ON LINE course for financial, geographical, family or timing reasons?
Then this course has been created with you in mind!
Watch this taster of our Florals 1 ONLINE course to see some excerpts from the practical workshops and tutorials that make up the 20 video lessons of our intensive floral design course…
Florals 1 ON LINE
At THE WILDFLOWER SCHOOL we are all about the love of flowers!
Our course is inspirational and unique- we encourage our students to develop their own floral aesthetic and to experiment with many different techniques and styles. You will see us create with an abundance of beautiful blooms sourced from local small organic flower farms whenever possible - and using sustainable techniques which avoid poisoning our planet with floral foam! While you hone your design skills, you will learn about the most up to date trends in the floral industry, and build your floral business knowledge.
Inspired by our beloved IN PERSON 3 week full time intensive Florals 1 career course in our Workroom on Waiheke Island, New Zealand, this ON LINE version allows you the flexibility to fit your floral learning around your every day commitments.
There are 20 video lessons in all- divided into 3 chapters- and you will also receive downloadable pdfs- and two e FLIP BOOKS: our 90 page FLORALS 1 Course Notes Book - and our 20 page Business of Wedding Florals Admin Process Guide…. at no extra cost!
You will receive written feedback at the end of each chapter- and will be able to book a zoom session with Vicki after course completion… and then you will be awarded a Wildflower School Diploma in Floral Design (ON LINE)
TOTAL COST 2400.00 NZD
You will have permanent access to all the videos and accompanying materials (for just a third of the cost of the IN PERSON 3 week course!)….
NOTE: you can enrol for each chapter separately-but if you choose to enrol for the entire Florals 1 ONLINE course you will save 400NZD- and will receive the Diploma on completion.
The lessons are in the form of Practical WORKSHOPS or TUTORIALS.
The WORKSHOP videos are designed to develop your practical skills in floral design. In each your tutor will demonstrate how to create a different type and style of arrangement- and help you to learn a variety of different floral design techniques. The demonstration videos are supported by additional materials- downloadable PDFs such as FLORAL INGREDIENT RECIPES (a list of suggested flower varieties and quantities for you to purchase before you embark on each workshop lesson); a TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT list to help you set up your floral workspace; SEASONAL VARIETIES OF FLOWERS etc
The TUTORIAL videos will provide the background knowledge you need to inspire, inform and improve your creations and give you the skills to work in the floral industry, in particular in wedding flower design, and even to set up your own floral business- whether that be creating bouquets for delivery or for sale at farmers markets; designing wedding flowers; growing your own flower farm and offering “pick your own flowers to arrange” workshops etc etc. The tutorial videos are supported by additional materials- downloadable PDFs such as reference lists for FLORAL MUSES and FLORAL REFERENCE BOOKS and florists to follow on INSTAGRAM; the PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN; the BUSINESS OF WEDDING FLORALS ADMIN PROCESS GUIDE; and a whole lot more background information to support each lesson.
Immerse yourself in all things FLORAL!
Read on for all delectable details of each lesson… hopefully it’s everything you have been dreaming about- now just DO it!
When you are ready to begin, click on the LEARN MORE Button below and pay on line for full access…
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Chapter 1: BASICS and BOUQUETS
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Lesson 1: WELCOME to The Wildflower School Tutorial
Vicki will share her FLORAL PHILOSOPHY and her FLORAL MUSES…
Setting up your WORKSPACE: arranging your space- and tools, equipment and accessories needed
FLOWER CARE: conditioning tricks for your blooms
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Lesson 2: SLOW FLOWERS Tutorial
SLOW FLOWERS- source flowers from local sustainable small flower growers as much as you can!
Visit a local small flower farm with Vicki and chat to the grower about her tips for best seasonal flowers to grow.
Flowers in each SEASON: look at typical flower varieties available in each season.
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Lesson 3: BOUQUET TYPES and STYLES- and principles of design Tutorial
We will look at bouquets of different TYPES and STYLES- and what is popular in weddings currently.
FLOWER ROLES: focal, filler, floaty and long form blooms and how we use them in bouquets.
The PRINCIPLES of DESIGN- how do colour, shape, texture, proportions, space, line, transition affect our arrangements?
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Lesson 4: BOUQUET BASICS Workshop
Vicki will demonstrate how to use SPIRALLING to create simple EN MASSE single variety bouquets (with a modern twist)…. roses, callas and peonies.
Then she will create a bouquet of mixed variety blooms using a STEM BY STEM/spiralling technique… and this bouquet will have an Amalfi Coast inspired vibe…
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Lesson 4: Part 2 More BOUQUET BASICS
Vicki will demonstrate a THREADING technique through a greenery base to create a Tuscan inspired bouquet.
Next she will use clustering and BLOCKING techniques to create a more modern look.
Then we will use foliage again as a starting point for making a front facing shop style “gift” bouquet- and learn how to wrap it!
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Lesson 5: GARDEN STYLE Bouquet Workshop
GARDEN STYLE BOUQUETS: Vicki will chat to you about the “Floral Revolutionaries” and their garden style inspiration for us all over the years.
She will then demonstrate how to use a HAND VASE (and later a HAND FRAME) technique to create a beautiful garden style bouquet.
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Lesson 6: MODERN STYLE Bouquets Workshop
Vicki will chat about Brides who want a MODERN look: simpler or minimalist- something more “ contemporary” and understated than garden style OR bright clashing colours and an eclectic and angular arrangement of blooms- bold and statementy!
She will demonstrate a couple of different MODERN bouquet styles- using STEM BY STEM and CLUSTERING/ BLOCKING techniques to create them.
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Chapter 2: FLORALS in VESSELS
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Lesson 1: Vessel BASICS Tutorial
We will look at a variety of TYPES of vessels in different materials, shapes, sizes and shapes…. and where you can source them.
What DESIGN decisions to you need to make when selecting appropriate vessels?
EASY Vessels: bud vase demo
TRICKIER Vessels: Vicki will demonstrate foam free techniques using chicken wire, flower frogs, tape etc so we can give our vessels internal framing.
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Lesson 2: Garden style COMPOTE Workshop
Vicki will demonstrate how to create a garden style arrangement in a BOWL or COMPOTE shaped vessel…
learn how to use CHICKEN WIRE to construct a grid frame to support your blooms and foliage. Focus on a layering technique to create the design features that will create a natural “growing in the garden” look.
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Lesson 3: Modern style Vessel Workshop
We will demonstrate how to use chicken wire and/or a flower pin or FLOWER FROG as the structure to create a more MODERN LOOK: either a CLUSTERED more minimal understated look OR an eclectic clashing colours angular architectural avant garde statementy look (Ikebana inspired?)
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Lesson 4: URNS
Go big with your florals in this lesson! Learn how to arrange in a much larger scale- and the importance of starting with a great armature in your vessel to hold the stems in place- and of using branch or other foraged foliage to create the base structure to underlie the shape and design of your urn creation…
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Lesson 5: MEADOW flowers
Vicki will demonstrate the techniques needed to arrange in these low long (or round) troughs, containers or vases so that the flowers appear to be growing straight from the ground or table top- as the vessel is not visible at all. These floral pieces can be placed as individual ceremony pieces down the aisle OR placed in a line as a low floral hedge or nest behind where the couple stand for the ceremony. They can be “garden style”…. or have a more blocked contemporary or avant garde vibe.
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Chapter 3: WEDDING FLORALS Intensive
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Lesson 1: The Business of WEDDINGS
We will take you through the whole process: from initial enquiry, to sending a PRICING GUIDE, to a CONSULTATION, MOOD BOARD and then QUOTE; to ORDERING the flowers; to INVOICING; organising DELIVERY and SET UP timetables; and lastly final PACK DOWN.
Vicki will explain the MOCK WEDDING Final Assignment.
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Lesson 1: part 2 The Business of WEDDINGS
We will continue through the process: from CONSULTATION, to MOOD BOARD and then preparing a Wedding Season SPREADSHEET, to ORDERING the flowers, then to INVOICING.
Included will be a filmed Consultation of Vicki with her “mock bride” as an example for you.
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Lesson 1: Part 3 The Business of WEDDINGS
We will take you through the remainder of the process: from planning contract help and providing your staff with a WEDDING PLAN for the PREP they will be allocated in the wedding week; completing a FINAL DETAILS Sheet; organising DELIVERY of the personal and Ceremony and Reception flowers- and SET UP timetables for the WEDDING DAY; and lastly final PACK DOWN.
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Lesson 1: Part 4 The MOCK WEDDING Assignment
Vicki will share a MOCK Mood Board, Flower Order and Quote for a bouquet, boutonniere and ceremony piece for her MOCK WEDDING. And in Lessons 3 and 4 she will demonstrate how she created these floral items
At the end of the course you will need to come up with your own MOCK WEDDING brief- create a mood board, then a flower order and a quote for the bouquet, buttonhole and ceremony arrangement….then create them and email pdfs and photos through to Vicki for her critique and assessment.
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Lesson 2: Personal Flowers
We will look at how a traditional fully wired boutonniere is constructed.
Then we will look at our modern personal flowers are made- and learn how to create cute little tiny posies for boutonnieres and pin corsages- and how to use floral wire and tape to strengthen and protect the central blooms.
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Lesson 2: Part 2 Personal Flowers
We will look at how to construct a WRIST corsage- complete with hand made ribbon wrist band- and a bit of glue gun action to attach the blooms!
Vicki will talk about current trends in wedding flowers- then teach you how to wire individual hair flowers, hair flower “clusters” and how to make flower crowns or hair garlands.
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Lesson 3: Mock Wedding Bouquet & Boutonniere
Vicki will demonstrate how to work to a bride’s brief using the photos she has provided, and the information about style, colour palette, shape etc from the consultation as inspiration to create a beautiful bouquet and boutonniere for the big day.
Then as part of your final MOCK WEDDING ASSIGNMENT you will create a bride’s bouquet inspired by the brief of your own “mock bride”
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Lesson 4: Mock Wedding Ceremony Florals
Vicki will demonstrate how to work to a bride’s brief to create a beautiful ceremony vessel… this could be a larger arrangement to stand on a plinth in the ceremony area, or in a low vessel to stand on the ground at the aisle entrance; or a low arrangement to go on the front of a signing table
Then as part of your final MOCK WEDDING ASSIGNMENT you will create a floral ceremony piece …
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Florals 1 Course Notes
Now read through our comprehensive course notes to refresh your understanding of all you have learned in our workshops and tutorials.
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Meet your instructor
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Meet your instructor ✳
Vicki Roycroft
Hi… I’m Vicki!
creator of The Wildflower School
Let me tell you a bit about me…
I was a school teacher prior to having my two children and moving from Auckland, New Zealand to an island off the coast. Waiheke Island is a little piece of paradise only a 40 minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland. It might be only a short ferry trip away but moving to the island resulted in a big re-think for me, especially in how I wanted to spend my working life. I decided to try a different career path to teaching. I wanted to do something more creative and “crafty”- and there happened to be no florist on the island, so a friend suggested I give that a go!! And ever so slowly I taught myself how to arrange flowers…
I gradually developed my own naturally arranged “undone” floral aesthetic- and built a business called Wildflower that started with a few arrangements in local shops and cafes and over 20 years became a wedding flower design business creating flowers for 100 weddings and events on Waiheke every season.
Then several years ago it occurred to me that there were other people like me- who wanted to change direction in their lives- and that I could use my twenty years of experience in the floral industry and my teacher training to pass on some of my hard won knowledge. I wanted my workshops and courses to be different to other floristry courses and to be grounded in a love of flowers- valuing their natural beauty and how they grow in gardens and meadows- and in learning how floral design is part of the wider world of the Arts, especially fashion and interior design.
And so the Wildflower School was born!
I still love working with flowers- and teaching like-minded flower lovers…
We have hosted many lovely floral workshops over the years- both on the Island and in dream destinations in Europe- when I also get to dabble in my love of painting floral still lifes in watercolour and indulge my obsession with travel!
But it is our intensive 3 or 5 week Florals 1 & 2 career course in floral design for which the Wildflower School has become most renowned. It is has attracted students from far and wide and is beloved by all our graduates - and has started women of all ages and different career backgrounds off on a new floral path. I have been blown away to find I have students coming from all over the world to do this course- and am always very proud of the beautiful creations they are all achieving by the time they leave.
Over the years many people have said to me how perfect the Florals 1&2 course sounds, how different to every other floral design course they have found- and how much they are desperate to do it- but that they can’t take 3 or 5 weeks out of their busy lives to come to us… much as they would love to!
And so we have created Florals 1 ON LINE with that in mind- because none of us should have to put off our dreams! Hope this is what you have been waiting for….
Vicki x
What you’ll learn
click on each of the chapters below for a summary of what you will learn.
Remember you can enrol for the complete Florals 1 ONLINE course OR enrol for one chapter at a time.
We do advise you complete all three chapters- and undertake them CONSECUTIVELY- in order to build all the skills and knowledge you will need for undertaking a floral career.
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Before we begin the practical sessions we will start with 3 TUTORIALS which cover the floral background knowledge you need before you start arranging: a chat about our floral muses and The Wildflower School’s floral philosophy; tips on flower care; how to set up your workspace and an equipment wishlist; the Slow Flower Movement and a chat with a local small flower farmer; seasonal flower varieties and the role of different flower types in arrangements; examples of bouquets of different types and styles and the principles of design that inform our arrangements
The next 3 lessons are practical WORKSHOPS on creating hand-tied bouquets of different shapes and styles and using different techniques: spiralling to create a simple en masse bouquet with roses, callas, tulips or peonies; spiralling (or a greenery base) to create a wrapped “gift” bouquet in a rustic or classic style; using a “hand vase” or “hand frame” technique to create a garden style wedding bouquet; using a clustering technique to create a contemporary style wedding bouquet.
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The first lesson in this chapter is a TUTORIAL on vessel basics: design considerations in vessel choice (colour, material, size, shape, proportion etc); vessel source list; vessel types and NO FOAM tips and tricks (chicken wire; flower frogs, tape, moss etc); Bud Vase and Vase Cluster demonstration.
Then we have 4 practical WORKSHOPS on different types and styles of arrangements in a variety of vessels: a garden style table centre in a compote; a contemporary/ sculptural style table arrangement in a shallow bowl and an avant garde/Ikebana style in a footed vessel; “meadow” flowers in a long low trough (for a table arrangement or as a base for a larger ceremony installation); a large URN arrangement
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This chapter consolidates on the bouquet and arrangement skills you have learnt in Chapters 1 and 2- and adds in the other essential background knowledge and practical techniques you will need to be able to start your own business or work in the floral world.
There are 3 TUTORIALS and accompanying information on the BUSINESS OF WEDDING FLOWERS (which is a guide to the entire admin process for a wedding florist- from first enquiry, through consultations, mood boards, quotes, ordering the flowers to prep, set up and pack down).
Then there is a tutorial which includes an explanation of the MOCK WEDDING Assignment (which will involve you putting all your new knowledge and skills to the test: coming up with your own wedding brief; creating a mood board; ordering the flowers and preparing a quote for your “mock bride”- and your final practical assignment at the end of the course will be to create a bouquet, ceremony arrangement in a vessel and boutonniere for your mock bride) and also features a MOCK CONSULTATION where Vicki interviews her mock bride.
Then we have 4 practical WORKSHOPS: the first 2 are on learning the wiring and construction skills in creating personal wedding flowers- boutonnieres, pin and wrist corsages and hair flowers.
The final 2 WORKSHOPS are the Mock Wedding Workshops and Assignment: these will involve a talk about working to a bride’s brief and then a practical demonstration of constructing a bouquet and ceremony arrangement and buttonhole to a brief.
Course FAQ
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No! We have designed this course to cater for all levels of experience… from absolute beginners to those who are already florists but want a chance to refresh their skills and update their design styles. And of course because it is online you are in total control of the learning pace.
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Before starting The Wildflower School, Vicki Roycroft was the business owner of a renowned floral design business on Waiheke Island, NZ for 20 years- and has created the flowers for thousands of very happy brides! She is also a trained teacher- so knows how to plan a curriculum and lessons that will really inspire and inform.
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Yes! At the end of each Chapter (or half way through if you need some tips earlier) Vicki encourages you to send 2 or 3 photos of the bouquets and arrangements you have been creating so she can critique your work and offer some constructive criticism by email. Then at the end of the course we will book a Zoom session so you can ask questions and discuss where to from here…
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Each demonstration video workshop has a downloadable Floral Menu PDF- which lists appropriate flower varieties for you to purchase, depending on the season where ever you are in the world. You will be able to see the quantity of flower stems used by Vicki in each lesson- and there is also a PDF on FLORAL STEM COUNT in Lesson 4:Bouquet Basics (Part 1) which recommends approximate numbers of stems required of each flower type in bouquets and arrangements of different styles.
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Absolutely! The “in person” Florals course on Waiheke Island has seen its graduates embark on careers in many different aspects of the floral industry: from working in florist shops, to becoming contract wedding florists, to starting their own floral design businesses, to creating bouquets and running floral design workshops from their own flower farms etc etc In this ONLINE version you will also learn all the floral design techniques you need to get started plus an in depth look at the current trends in floral design styles and all about the admin process aspects of running your own wedding flower business. But of course we highly recommend you do continue to develop all these skills after you have finished the course. Try and get an internship or work with a floral design company…. and practise, practise, practise to develop your confidence- and your own floral aesthetic. And you could also consider booking a 3 or 5 day intensive “refresher” course in person with Vicki at The Wildflower School…. see more in the answer to Question 8 below
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No not at all! We have created this ONLINE version of our course for the very reason that these days we often have busy lives with lots of diverse commitments… so it is often difficult to find 3 weeks or more full time in person to dedicate to learning a whole new skill set. Time pressure is not conducive to learning or creativity- so we want you to be in complete control of when you undertake these lessons: suit your timing to your lifestyle, personality and learning style. Hopefully you are going to love playing with flowers so much that you can’t wait for the next lesson! And you will have access to this course for a lifetime- so you can watch the videos over and over if you want to- and revisit them- and the Course Notes- whenever you need to.
However in saying all that we would recommend- if it works for you -that you plan to try and complete each chapter within a month- aiming at undertaking say one to two lessons a week. That way you will maintain momentum and have good recall of what you learned in previous lessons so you can build on what you have just learnt.
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Vicki has designed this series of lessons as a complete career level course, with your skills building as you travel through the chapters. However if you would prefer to be able to purchase these bundles of lessons one chapter at a time, you may do so…
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Yes once you have completed all the lessons- submitted photos of your work and received feedback after each chapter- then you will be sent an e copy of The Wildflower School Diploma in Floral Design ONLINE.
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Yes! Vicki is currently planning a short FLORALS INTENSIVE course which will be a 3 or 5 day in person course at The Wildflower School on Waiheke island - offered twice a year in Spring and Autumn. This would be a valuable refresher for graduates of the online course to hone their skills even further- with Vicki right beside you to tweak your designs and techniques. Or you may prefer a one on one Bespoke 1, 2 or 3 day session with Vicki as a follow up. All of these options will be discounted for our ONLINE graduates!
And of course we will eventually plan and release FLORALS 2 ONLINE…. which will focus on larger scale floral design- installations, arches etc- flowers and ART, a deeper look into the business side of wedding florals… and more!!